We have seen scenes and experienced things during the past several days, which none of us ever dreamed possible in a lifetime. The red map on Fox News indicates that all of America is consumed in the Coronavirus with the exception of West Virginia. But there are some truisms that I want us to be comforted by:

1. God is on His throne and has never, never lost control.

Have you ever heard of “Side Door Evangelism?”   We actually have some venues in place for such a ministry — like the Sunshine Club, Men’s Prayer Breakfast, and the Wednesday night ministries — and the Academy. 

 Activities and functions such as these, can be tools to introduce people to the church.  If a church participates in a softball or basketball league, it is absolutely permissible to include non-members to participate.  They, in turn, become acquainted with church people in this “non-threatening” environment, and after much interaction, they could make the next step of coming to worship – or Sunday school, and perhaps even give their lives to Christ. 

I want to follow up on the subject of last week’s newsletter concerning outreach. 

I mentioned sitting in the early morning hours with pastor friends while on the cruise.  We talked about the little tricks churches do in order to promote attendance. Years ago, churches had such campaigns as “All Sheep in the Fold” campaign.  Remember that?  In our packets were hundreds of cardboard sheep — white on one side and black on the other.  Sunday school members would inscribe their names on a sheep, and a string was hung across the front of the auditorium.  

Revival time is here! We are thankful for our revival team, Dick Sisk and Robert Brazier, who are coming to minister to us and lead us in this time of spiritual renewal. Below is a biographical sketch of Dr. Sisk. Dr. Dick Sisk was born on June 7, 1948 in Levelland, Texas. He has been married to Barbara of Crockett, Texas since August 18, 1967. They have four daughters and eleven grandchildren. Dick is an alumni of Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Texas and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He holds a Master’s in Biblical Studies from Criswell College in Dallas, Texas, and a Master of Divinity degree as well as a Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. He has pastored in Lubbock, in Rockwall/Heath, in Dallas, in Flat, Texas and in Memphis, Tennessee.

Just to say thank you is woefully inadequate, but please know, church, that from the bottom of our hearts, Carolyn and I are so grateful to you for the wonderful day yesterday, and for the kind gestures of love you extended to us. The lunch was wonderful, and you showered us with hundreds of dollars, worth of gift cards and cash. But your hugs and personal expressions of love will remain with us forever.

Let me tell you a brief story about my great grandfather. He died two years before I was born, but people who knew him, have often told me I sound just like him in the pulpit, and have similar mannerisms.

Like Saul of Tarsus, God grabbed up John W. Hamilton, from a checkered past, saved him and planted his feet on a pathway to ministry.

God has a way of revealing His kindness to us in unexpected ways – using total strangers in the process.

I have posted this story on Facebook and it will be in next Friday’s Waxahachie Daily Light, but I wanted to share it in our newsletter.

On my way to taking Levi to Mother’s Day Out last Monday, we made a stop through the drive up at Chick Fil A where I was going to pick up some lunch for him. Just as I was about three cars from the window, I discovered that I had forgotten my wallet.